I don’t have much time these days. I stay pretty busy with my commute to/from work, actual work, family life, and college. (Somewhere in there, I eat, shower, and sleep– REPEAT!) I am beyond exhausted. Life decided I didn’t have enough to worry about so it gave me issues with my middle son’s group home. We are back to ground zero and sh*t has hit the fan…again! I am so tired of group homes and the heartache and disappointment that come with each one. I’ve been covered in stress hives off & on for the past two weeks and I have been fighting back the tears for just as long. It’s hard to be Wonder Woman when you’ve been filling the role for decades. I’m tired and need someone to rescue me. #MentalHealthSystemIsBroken #FixIt
Luckily, this week I am in an office where everyone has been SUPER nice and when I leave work I am actually in a good mood. It makes life a little easier! #JarrellCrewRocks
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Well, hello there. We meet again. *Giggle* Where has the time gone? I can’t believe I haven’t posted since January! Shame on me. But in my defense, I started a new job and spend most of my time in my car commuting, at work, doing homework, being a mom, or sleeping. (Somewhere in there I shower, do laundry, and eat.) I’m running myself ragged and I can feel my autoimmune disorder starting to flare up… I’ll slow down either on my own or my body will shut down again. Hopefully, it’s the first one. 🙂
FUN FACT
“Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia refers to the phobia or fear of long words. Feelings of shame or fear of ridicule for mispronouncing long words may cause distress or anxiety.”
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I jumped on the bandwagon a few weeks ago but never really promoted my link. I wasn’t sure how to go about doing it or what content to post. Idea???
Hello, Lovelies! Hard to believe the big day is almost here. It feels surreal. A vacation without kiddos!?! (Pick yourself up off the floor because I’m sure you fell out of your chair. *giggle*) I wouldn’t be going on this vacation if it wasn’t for my lovely mother and the universe finally aligning.
When was the last time you had a true vacation that focused on self-care and resetting your soul? I haven’t had a true vacation like this in almost a decade! Self-care is so important and I can honestly say that I neglect myself. I’m not proud of that fact; however, I always try to keep things real with all of you.
I’m working on my mental health and finding ME. I have spent years trying to please others. It came at a toll. A heavy toll. That is why I have finally woken up and made the decision to do things for myself. The first step is this cruise which leaves Sunday. And then, once I am back, I will get a traditional job save up a bit (I already have an income but want some cushion *SMILE*), and then plan to move abroad with my youngest son to Costa Rica for a few months, at the end of January.
Have you been to Costa Rica? Have any suggestions of where to visit or avoid? Or maybe you have a suggestion for the second country my son and I should visit after our Costa Rica adventure? Either way would love to hear your thoughts.
As many of you know, I had to make the tough decision to pull most of my books off of Kindle Unlimited because of piracy. There are a few still left on KU because of obligations; however, a few of these will be leaving KU soon too. If you have KU and would like to read them, now is the time. (SMILE)
My son moved back in with me a few months ago because the group home he was in was NOT a good fit. With him being there, it was giving me more gray hair and killing my mental health; however, searching for a new group home has had the same effect. My mental health plummeted drastically. I was not in a good place for a while. I felt like the world was caving in on me. Thankfully, I pulled myself out.
Today, I received a call from a group home near Dallas and they would LOVE for my son to join them! I nearly cried. After contacting over 50 group homes, I finally had good news. This group home was actually my top pick but I hadn’t heard from them so I gave up. The universe decided to shine some light down on my darkened path and I couldn’t be happier!
Fitness Journey
I am happy to announce that I am under 250! Wow. Did I just say that out loud to a bunch of people I don’t know? Yes. Yes, I did! No shame in my game. I am super proud of myself. I have been counting calories and doing 60-minute cardio three times a week. I couldn’t lift because of an arm injury but I recently learned substitute exercises that are helping tone the flabby chicken wings! Super excited about that.
As you see in the pictures, the elliptical machine and my protein/slim fast shake have become my best friends. On occasion, I do growl & hiss at them. (ha!) No pain, no gain… in theory.
College
Did you miss the post about me returning to college? Yes. You read that right. My old behind took the plunge. It has always been my dream to be able to say “I have a bachelor’s degree”. I had to stop years ago for personal reasons but decided to go for it again. I most likely won’t use it… or maybe I will. Time will tell. For right now, I am just enjoying being able to say “I’m a college student!”
My first class was supposed to be Statistics which sounded like Snooze-Fest. Thankfully, it is Composition II! Right up my alley! (insert happy dance)
By the way, my major is… (drum roll)… psychology. So, maybe one day I’ll be able to charge you guys for the advice I give! (Ha! just kidding. XoXo)
Dating
How’s my dating life going? I’m just going to leave these screenshots of things I posted on social media right here (sums it up)…
Moving
In case you don’t follow me on social media or missed one of my last blogs, I have decided to move abroad with my youngest (13) son. We were going to move to China or Korea; however, we are now going to head to Costa Rica for a few months. This may change but for now, it is Costa Rica. Low cost of living, great reviews from family and friends, and is rich in culture which is something I really want my youngest to experience.
I have been studying Spanish for 60+ days straight. I was feeling pretty confident until the Spanish radio station I listen to almost every day had a talking segment this morning and… I only caught a few words here and there. I’m just going to carry a notebook and pen with me and have people write down what they’re saying. I read Spanish better than I do listening & understanding it. Ha. Ha.
Travel
Only 11 more days until I go on my first cruise with my bestie A.K.A. my beautiful mother. (fun fact: eleven is one of my lucky numbers!) We are sooooo ready to set sail. I haven’t had a real vacation without the kids in years. Feels like a lifetime.
I am super excited. Originally, I was nervous because I didn’t feel ‘pretty enough’ to go on a cruise but I decided to let those feelings go. I am way too hard on myself. I keep comparing myself to others and I need to stop doing that & just enjoy life. 🙂
NEW RELEASES FROM ME
(Click each cover to learn more and/or buy a copy.)
Hey, Lovelies! I am still away on vacation. We just had a great family BBQ at my Aunt and Uncle’s house. Was able to catch up with so many people who I haven’t seen in years. It was really nice. I will post pictures soon. I have some up on my social media accounts because it is easier to post on there, but I’ll get some uploaded here on my blog soon!
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my FREE book, Maid to Desire!(Part of a standalone series so you can read this book by itself) I am trying to give away 1k FREE copies so feel free to tell your friends & family about my free read. 🙂 I reached 1k FREE books given away of my Claimed by the Taurus! Thank you so much for helping me reach my goal!
Hey, Lovelies! Aloha Friday! Maaaan! My Friday started rough. I woke up to my alarm, hit snooze, and not even a minute later, I was woken up by a phone call from a Harris County Deputy, informing me that my son had run away from the group home. He has GPS on his phone so I was able to locate him fast, but talk about heart attack central! Then I go to get up out of bed, feel a sharp pain in my Achilles and nearly fall flat on my face! (<Insert> eye roll)
I finally get out the door to head to the gym. (Mom is driving us in her new ride) And… I forgot my fanny pack which has my gym membership card and earphones in it!!! I cannot workout without music on, drowning out the loud, self-entitled, gym peeps. I was willing to sacrifice my sanity so Mom wouldn’t be late for her water aerobics class. She ends up turning around for me and we get behind every slow person that lives in this county. (<Insert> another eye roll)
The gym is finally knocked out despite the pain in my shoulder (going on week seven or so) and my Achilles’ pain. I felt a lot better mentally, but of course, life is not done with me! Ugh. Needless to say, I’m surprised I got my latest podcast recorded, edited, and published. Y’all wish me luck. I think life is about to jump out from behind the couch, yelling, “Finish her!”
The books mentioned in Episode Ten of my Cookie Jar Unleashed Book Podcast are listed below. ((There’s a special surprise at the very bottom of the list! MUAH!))
Would love for you to listen to my book podcast, Cookie Jar Unleashed, give it a like, comment, and tell me your thoughts. I’m always looking for feedback and opinions. Would love to hear yours.
Hugs & kisses to all of you who share this post/podcast with your friends and family. ((HUGS))
((Interested in having your book mentioned or read on my podcast, comment for details. I’d love to have you on my podcast too!))
This past Friday, my family and I attended Chocolate Fantasia. This event was hosted by the Copperas Cove Independent School District and held at the Copperas Cove Civic Center, in Copperas Cove, Texas. The event was to showcase artwork created by students who receive special education services. One of the artists was my son, Alexander, who receives services for autism and intellectual disability disorder. (He will be graduating high school this year!) My son, Christopher, who is in middle school, participated in the event as a food server for his “Farm-to-Table” class.
Doors opened at 5:30PM. Although we had to wait in line to check in (and my mother to show proof of buying her ticket online), it was nice to see so many people there to support the artists. As you walked through the room, there was so much to see. Valentine’s Day decorations were throughout the room, giving a fun and festive vibe. There was a place for guests to purchase raffle tickets once you entered the event. Along one wall was an area to take pictures with picture frames and props. In the very back was a beverage bar with bottled water and alcohol-free champagne.
In the center of the room, there were tables. Some of the tables were filled with chocolate desserts. Serving the desserts were students from the high school culinary class and the middle school “Farm-to-Table” class. These students looked very professional in their attire and wore gloves while serving the food. (Great job, Kiddos!)
Other tables were draped with black tablecloths and had festive centerpieces in the middle of them. Each of these tables were specifically for displaying one piece of artwork. Next to the artwork was the artist’s picture and biography, allowing those attending the event to get to know the artists. Also on the table was a box with a hole in the middle for guests to place a raffle ticket in if they wanted a chance to win the artwork.
It was fun to walk around the room while snacking on chocolate and looking at each painting. It was fascinating to see how no two paintings were alike. They were all very creative and nicely done. The artists all did an amazing job.
The event ran a bit late due to technical difficulties (the microphone was missing), which had guests and artists a little concerned; however, those running the event worked diligently to get things back on track.
Around 7PM, the artists lined up and one by one were introduced onto the stage. Their name, what school they attended, and which artwork was theirs was announced. The crowd cheered loudly for each artist. Seeing the big bright smiles on the artists’ faces brought an even bigger smile to mine.
This was such a great event! I’m so glad that our family was able to experience this opportunity and we look forward to attending next year’s Chocolate Fantasia!
**Chocolate Fantasia flier was provided via Copperas Cove Independent School District**
*Students lined up on stage are from S.C. Lee Middle School’s “Farm-to-Table” Class.*
Monster in the Cookie Jar 